The intruder was still alive when Ai began to devour him. His fingers, crunching like boiled sweets between her red-stained teeth, made for an apparently enticing appetiser. Her gaze hovered from one finger to the next as she tried to decide which to indulge in next. When she’d chosen her target, she twisted it off at the base before devouring it whole. The man tried to scream from a torn throat, his face swollen, purple veins bulging. It would do him no good.

  Ravi watched from the doorway. The otherwise silent bathroom was filled with the sounds of crunching bone and the metallic scent of blood. A few feet ahead of him was the woman he loved, hunched over, making a meal of a dying man. He wouldn’t stop her. She needed the nourishment, and he needed a way to dispose of the body. He just wished she wouldn’t play with her food.

  “It’s getting late,” he murmured. “You should hurry if you don’t want Miss Diao having any strange ideas.”

  Ai glanced back at him, still chewing on a piece of finger. “Perhaps I shall eat Miss Diao.”

  “Perhaps you won’t. People know she’s here on official business.” Seeing the disappointment creep across her face, he sighed, “There’s no reward for eating my father’s courtiers. The more you kill, the more attention you’ll draw. Whatever- whoever- is protecting us from the powers of the court, cannot protect us indefinitely. Assassins have come into our home. That’s evidence enough.”

  With a smug laugh, she smiled. “Let them come. I’ll serve them up as a feast for the both of us, if you wish.”

  Closing his eyes, Ravi took a moment to breathe. “I know you will. But they won’t stop. They’ll keep coming, and eventually, they’ll succeed.”

  Ai stood suddenly, and the intruder slumped onto the tiled floor. He was dead. “They will not harm you, Ravi Jie. I’ll see the city bleed before that happens.”

  Glistening red droplets trickled from her mouth and fingertips. There was conviction in her eyes. She meant what she said. A living meigui’s devotion, it appeared, was a dangerous thing. Allowing her freedom could only ever end in disaster.

  Ravi looked away. “These hired killers- they’re just a symptom of a larger problem. Our enemy is a tumour on the heart of Hanshi, spreading its foul influence throughout its body. She is the source-”

  “Ah, you mean Era?”

  A smirk crept across his lips. “Watch what you say, Miss Mitsuki. That’s treason.” He leaned out through the doorway, ensuring there were no unwanted guests that might overhear their conversation. Beyond the bathroom was an empty hallway, dark as the dead of night. No moonlight shone through its windows, only the faint glimmer of stars. The slight hum of their servant’s song passed through the walls. Yue Diao’s silky voice had become a near constant presence in their home since suddenly appearing more than a month before. Back then, she’d introduced herself as the daughter of Minister Shizhen Diao, and had promptly invited herself into the building. Ravi had assumed she was just another assassin sent to dispose of him by Era, though she’d made no attempt on his life in the time she’d spent with him. If Yue hadn’t been sent to kill him, then that only meant she was after something else. Was it just simple surveillance? Was it more than that? Shizhen had known there was something wrong when he’d visited. There was no hiding that stench of death left by the smuggler captain’s severed head, and the minister surely knew that Ai was trespassing in the Daishun’s court. What had he thought at that moment when he’d entered Ravi’s room? Had he guessed her identity as a non-human? Who else had he told among the court? How many…?

  Ravi shook off the thought. He could spend all night guessing at the man’s thoughts, and it wouldn’t bring him any closer to the truth. He was wasting his time. Yue was a guest in their home now, and that was a fact they had to live with. They no longer had the luxury of living without observation.

  “We have no evidence that the Daishu bears any hostility toward us,” he said, not loudly. The words were a cover, but if Yue was out of earshot, there was no need for her to overhear them.

  Ai raised a white eyebrow. “Hmm.”

  “Something to say, Ai?”

  “Nothing in particular,” she replied, returning to the assassin at her feet. Another mouthful of flesh. She tore the muscle from his bones.

  Era Jie wished to see Ravi dead. He knew that without a doubt. She’d felt the same way before his escape from Hanshi, and his return had stoked the hateful embers in her heart. With the pretence of an execution, she had everything she needed to rid the city of the vermin she so hated- a punishment that would fit his crime. Yet the Daishun would not permit it.

  When her first method failed, assassination was a natural second choice. Yet, confined to Fei House, Ravi was out of reach and under constant guard. Anyone that hoped to harm him needed a way past those defences. None had succeeded. Ai had slaughtered each and every one. Most had crumbled when confronted by her inner form, cowering before the fatal beauty of a living meigui. Those that didn’t break from fear lost their minds in the labyrinthian hallways of Ai’s illusions. All revealed their secrets in time.

  At first, the assassins had been hired by intermediaries. Out of the names Ravi recognised, they were either residents of the Royal Harem, or associates of Era’s associates. More recently, however, she no longer concerned herself with covering her tracks, meeting with assassins directly and enticing them with the vast wealth of the imperial treasury. Era Jie wished to see him dead, immediately, without fail. Such zeal would not stop with a handful of hired killers. If they wanted to survive in Hanshi, then Daishu Era Jie had to die.

  Counter-assassination. No easy feat.

  Ravi kneeled beside Ai. She looked up from her lifeless meal and met his gaze. There was no remorse behind those silver eyes, only a mild curiosity. Was it because she’d acted in self-defence? Or was the concept of feeling guilt for killing and eating another person something that simply didn’t occur to her? It didn’t matter for now. He needed these men dead, and he needed their bodies disposed of. But once that was over, where would she draw the line? Deceiving and devouring humans was only natural for a living meigui, as it was for any other creature born of the Abyss. Attempting to convince her otherwise would be contrary to her very being. Even if she would defer to him, was it not a cruel demand to make? To shackle a lion and deprive it of meat could only be considered inhumane. What right did he have to enact the same confinement upon his lover?

  “You’ve made a mess,” he said softly. She held still as he wiped a trickle of blood from her cheek. A slight smile creased her face. The warmth of her expression strangely complimented the iciness of her pale visage. In spite of the woman’s monstrous nature, and her handiwork sprawled across the tiled flooring, Ravi felt at ease.

  “For you, Ravi Jie,” she told him. “And for our family. As many times as it takes.”

  “Thank you. I’d like to say I’d do the same, but you’ve never given me many chances to protect you.”

  “Does it hurt your pride, being protected?” she asked with a grin.

  “I’m proud of your strength. I’m just disappointed in mine.”

  Ai pouted. “It’s no fun when you’re so honest.”

  “Should I say that I’m sorry? You never liked that either.”

  “You should starve your self-pity and find your self-worth, though I don’t expect you’ll do that. If you aren’t comfortable with yourself, and you don’t have the power to change, then all you have to do is surrender yourself to me.”

  “That already happened once. You’ve been carrying around the consequences for a couple of months now.”

  “I would prefer it if you didn’t refer to our child as a consequence, Ravi.”

  “I’m sure it won’t mind.”

  Her eyes flared. “It?”

  “Sorry, that was a bad joke.”

  “Oh? Was it really?”

  “For my safety, yes,” he nodded. Shrinking back from Ai’s deathly glare, he laughed, “Of course it was. That child is mine. Don’t think that I don’t care about her.”

  “Hmm. That’s not what you said on the smugglers’ ferry. What was it again?”

  Ravi dropped his gaze. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “That child is our doom,” she said in a mockery of his voice. “Was there some other interpretation of that I missed?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “I knew Hanshi was dangerous- that we’d be risking our lives. I thought pregnancy would make you vulnerable.”

  “And has it?”

  Ravi stroked his chin. “I’m not sure. We could’ve asked the assassin, but it looks like he bled out. So, I’ll have to ask you. How’re you doing, Ai?”

  “I’m alive and well, despite our friend’s best efforts. As for the baby, she seems quite eager to leave.”

  “It’s been eight… nearly nine weeks, right? That’s… early.”

  “It’s a little late, actually. I’m overdue.”

  “At nine weeks?”

  “At nine weeks. Our child could be born at any time, though sooner would be better than later. It’s late, and I’m tired now, so… how about tomorrow?”

  “What are you saying? That you can start whenever you please?”

  “I can. Are you impressed?”

  “Anyone would be,” Ravi replied, tilting his head. “But then why are you overdue?”

  “There haven’t been many opportunities to give birth, Ravi. At any time there could be someone else after our heads, and you haven’t been in the best of moods lately. Though I suppose you never are.”

  “I’ve just got a sour face,” he said. “Tomorrow, then. You’ll have your opportunity. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Ai smiled slightly. She didn’t believe in him, he could tell. Even in her most vulnerable moments, she wouldn’t trust him to protect her.

  What did she see when she looked at him? A helpless boy? Or was it something lesser?

  It was later in the night that Ravi finally headed to bed. He navigated darkened hallways with blurred vision. His wrists and shoulders ached from scrubbing the remains of the dead man from his bathroom floor. Across his fingers were cracks gouging the hardened skin. Something had to change. Every corpse in his wake was one too many, yet each day, he was washing another would-be assassin’s gristle down a drainage pipe. Era’s wasting her riches trying to make me disappear. All she really needs is to hire a plumber.

  Along the corridor ahead of him, faint beams of purple light warned of the coming dawn. Tomorrow was already here. The new day would bring new life into the world, and the feverish dream of fatherhood would become a reality. It wasn’t something he’d ever wished for. Such things seemed so far away, so out of reach before he’d fled Hanshi with his sister. As a fugitive, he could only hope to escape punishment for his crimes. He was a thief, a murderer, a kidnapper; he’d failed as a brother and son. He did not deserve happiness.

  But that was no excuse to simply give up. There was more to lose now than he’d ever had before. It was his duty to do whatever it took to make sure that didn’t happen. He refused to allow anyone else to suffer for his mistakes. If Era Jie had to die for his family’s safety, then he would see it done.

  Ravi stopped when he reached the door to his bedroom. Newfound determination swelled within him, but so too did a widening sinkhole of fear and doubt. His imagination painted scenes in the darkness of a distant memory. A smiling mother. A father holding his son. He wondered how it would feel to hold his child, bearing the weight of a tiny bundle of life, so light, yet so full of potential. His hand crept across his face. Am I even capable of being a parent?

  “Are you having difficulty entering your room?” someone asked, and a dark blur shot into his view. Startled, Ravi dove backwards, almost colliding with the wall.

  “What are you-?!” he began to shout, but managed to quickly gather himself, and then he continued, only slightly louder than the heartbeat pounding in his ears. “Would you care to explain what you are doing in my hallway, Miss Diao?”

  The self-appointed servant closed the distance between them in a single step. “My duty,” she replied, leaning in close. Her wide eyes peered deep into his soul. “I noticed you were spending a long time in the bathroom. From that observation, I concluded that the most likely cause is an upset stomach. I’ve prepared a hot drink for you infused with ginger and peppermint. It should relieve your discomfort.”

  Ravi looked down. He had to squint to make out the steaming cup Yue held in her hands. “Why are you walking about in the dark?”

  “I was following your lead. Light may have hindered your ability to sleep.”

  “I see,” he replied. “Thanks for the tea, Yue, but I’m fine. You should go to bed. It’s late.”

  Yue nodded. “I understand that ginger and peppermint may not be to everyone’s taste. If you’d prefer, I can bring you a chamomile tea instead.”

  “My stomach will be perfectly fine without any ginger or chamomile or anything else.”

  “This is no time for pride, Master Chen. You must take care of your health.”

  Chen. The name was more irritating each time he heard it. Ravi pushed his way past the servant, deaf to her protests, though he didn’t enter his room. “What is it that you want, Diao? Why are you here? Did your father send you to kill me? To spy on me? Speak.”

  Finally, Yue backed away, and stood in silence for a moment. Her eyes did not leave his. “I have no intention of doing anything to you, other than ensuring your health and wellbeing.”

  “This house has no room for liars.”

  “I am not lying.”

  He scoffed. “Of course. You’ve made a mask of concern, Yue, but you can’t hide your contempt. You’re just like your brother.”

  “If I’ve offended you in some way, I deeply apologise.”

  Ravi slammed his fist against the door. “So you’re not even aware of it? Is that what you want me to believe? How do you dare come in here and pretend to give a damn about me when you won’t even use my name? I am Ravi Jie! Not Chen! Jie!”

  His words echoed loudly through the hallway. Too loud to ever take back. Shame wrapped around him like a shawl, and he finally opened the door before him. The bedroom was silent, but he was certain he’d awoken Ai.

  “I am sorry, truly. I did not realise I was causing you such distress.”

  “Distress?” he asked, the anger now gone from his voice. Distress. He hated the idea that he could be brought to such a state from a mere name, yet that was exactly what had happened. He’d lost his composure. “I wasn’t born with the name Chen. If you can’t stand calling me Jie, then the least you could do is use my mother’s surname. I am Jie, or I am Shukla. Choose whichever you prefer.”

  “As you say, Master Shukla.”

  Ravi laughed wearily as he turned back through the doorway. “You really can’t stand it, can you?”

  Yue tilted her head. “I’m not sure what you mean. I am only doing as you asked.”

  At this point, I can’t even tell if she’s doing it on purpose. “It’s fine, it doesn’t matter,” he told her dismissively. “We can speak more when there’s time. I need to get some sleep. It’ll be a long day tomorrow.”

  “Are you planning something special?”

  Ravi took a moment to consider. “Special is probably how you’d describe it,” he decided. “Ai- she’s having our child tomorrow. I can’t say I have any idea what I’m doing when it comes to things like this. Is there any way you can help us? We’ll need things- things I don’t even know we’ll need. More towels, maybe. We could use a midwife more than anything.”

  Yue glanced down. “My experience with such things is meagre, though I will do my best to care for Miss Mitsuki if that is your wish.”

  “There’s no need to push yourself,” Ravi said quickly. For as long as Yue had been staying with them at Fei House, he’d done his best to keep her and Ai apart. Nothing good could come from the two of them meeting. “I don’t suppose the Royal Harem would offer us their help? Ai is carrying the Daishun’s grandchild, after all.”

  “Why not ask them? You’ve already been invited.”

  Ravi was suddenly upright. “To the Royal Harem?”

  “That’s correct,” she nodded.

  “And why haven’t you told me this before?”

  “I received the message earlier in the day, though you asked me not to disturb you when I tried to deliver it.”

  “What message? From whom?”

  “One of your guards gave it to me,” she explained, holding out a small piece of paper. “The sender didn’t leave their name.”

  Taking the note from Yue, Ravi stepped out of his room and hurried to the nearest window. The light revealed messy strokes of thick black ink that composed a short, simple message: “Return to me.”

  “What is this?” Ravi asked, shaking his head.

  “The message enclosed with your invitation,” she replied, handing him an envelope. Inside was a letter. The writing upon it was far neater, and clearly from a different hand. At the centre of the page, in bold characters, it stated plainly:

  “The Jishun, Ravi Jie, is hereby granted free movement through the Imperial Court of the Daishun, including unchallenged access to the Royal Harem.”

  “Who gave you this?” he asked.

  “As I mentioned, it was one of the guards. I’m unsure of his name.”

  This is a trap. He knew that. The letters were too good to be true, and his enemies far outnumbered anyone that could be remotely considered his friend, in Hanshi or anywhere else. He knew that, but that couldn’t stop him from hoping that the message might be from his father. Who else had the authority to grant him such privileges? Without a doubt, he knew the answer to that, too.

  The sun rose before Ravi could fall asleep. Ai rose a little later, looking no less exhausted than he. Bouts of sickness plagued her most days as of late, and so last night’s feast had been horrifying and reassuring in equal parts. He followed her as she staggered queasily to the bathroom, and held back her hair for as long as she needed.

  They were both prepared by noon, by the loosest definition of the word. Ai sat supported by cushions on their bed with towels beneath and beside her. Little remained of her usual composure. Beads of sweat trickled down from her forehead, and a red tinge flushed her pale skin. Each breath was fast and shallow.

  “Ravi,” she said as she held out her hand, in a voice smaller and softer than he’d ever heard before.

  “I’m here,” he assured her, taking her hand in his own. He only hoped she wouldn’t notice him shaking. He felt sick. Anxiety gnawed at his insides, and though he hadn’t slept at all the night before, he couldn’t sleep now even if he tried. This shouldn’t be, he told himself. But there was no turning back.

  Their child was born within the hour. Another came shortly after. Ai had given birth to twin daughters- both tiny, fragile things. Even in their mother’s blood, they were like shining rays of light.

  In his nightmares, Ravi had been forced to witness the births of countless monstrous hybrids, each uniquely horrific in its form. But these children were no monsters. They were just two beautiful baby girls. With her cotton shirt unbuttoned, Ai held her daughters to her chest. Exhaustion was plain upon her face, though it was eclipsed by her radiant smile. That too, was a side he’d never seen of her. One of pure joy, and of unconditional love.

  For Ravi, only one feeling remained. It was hard to believe, he thought, that this sight could exist outside of Heaven.